Frequently Asked Questions

Do you still have questions? We are happy to answer them at learn@mshinstitute.org

Where is the Science & Learning Center at Coldwater located?

The Science and Learning Center at Coldwater is located at 21000 Spirit Lake Highway on the north west side of Mount St. Helens, also know as Highway 504. This is 40 miles from the town of Castle Rock Washington off of Interstate 5. It is approximately 10 miles west (a 20 minute drive) from Johnston Ridge Observatory, which is currently closed due to a landslide.

Is there cell phone reception or Wi-Fi available for groups to use?

Yes, Wi-Fi is available for groups to use at the Science & Learning Center building. The password is provided to groups upon arrival.

There is NOT cell phone reception at the Science & Learning Center and the surrounding area nor roads or trailheads in the area. Most service providers lose reception upon leaving Interstate 5. Please plan accordingly by reviewing and downloading driving directions in advance of your trip.

Do you have showers? How are the restroom facilities?

We do NOT have showers at our facility. We have large indoor restrooms each with 4-8 stalls, sinks with running water and flush toilets. Our facility includes a single stall gender neutral restroom. Groups that are both camping or staying indoors can use our indoor restrooms.

What type of resources do you have for educational groups or others to use independently of MSHI staff?

Large whiteboards: The atrium area contains 2-4 large (4’ x 5’) whiteboards on wheels with information about the area including a regional map and map of our facility as well as information about volcanoes. These materials can be moved and the whiteboards can be used for various purposes.
Costume bins: We have an excellent supply of costume supplies in >5 large bins.
Art supplies: We provide a large variety of art supplies for groups including watercolors.
Library cart: Our library contains excellent resources about Mount St. Helens and general natural history as well as children’s books.
Geology cart: Our rock cart contains many rock samples from Mount St. Helens and other volcanic rocks including hand lenses for close up observation.
Binoculars: We have ~15 sets of binoculars available for groups to use. Spotting scopes may be provided upon request.

What cleaning am I expected to do during my stay?

Day Groups are expected to:

Leave the area better than you found it by helping pick up garbage, and making sure you take everything you brought with you back home.
Groups who eat lunch in our dining area are expected to pick up any trash, wipe down the tables and dispose of their garbage in one of our garbage cans.

Overnight Groups are responsible the following general facility cleaning at the end of the program including and not limited to:

Cleaning all sleeping areas (wiping cots, picking up trash, vacuuming)
Cleaning all common areas including front hall & atrium (vacuuming, picking up trash, resetting furniture, wiping fingerprints off glass doors)
Cleaning dining area (busing all dishes, wiping down surfaces, cleaning spills)
Cleaning bathroom counters and mirrors, picking up trash in bathroom

A cleaning checklist is provided at the start of your program and cleaning supplies and instructions provided by staff. A staff member will check out the group at the end of your program to ensure the facility is cleaned to the stated requirements.

What type of staff lead education programs?

Our staff are carefully selected for their experience and passion for working with youth and families. All staff receive a criminal background check before they are hired and references are thoroughly examined. Check out our website for more information about our staff.

Our staff are trained in educational content, safety and risk procedures and policies, CPR and First Aid, defensive driving, food safety, and managing group dynamics.

How are the driving conditions to the Science & Learning Center?

The Mount St. Helens Science & Learning Center is easily accessible via paved roads. From I-5, take WA 504 west from Castle Rock. The road has a wide shoulder and was rebuilt after the May 18, 1980 eruption. The road is built high above the river valley and affords great views of Mount St. Helens and the surrounding landscape.

How do you manage risk in remote locations?

Our programs take place in places that are several hours from a hospital and definitive medical care. Each field site has an emergency response plan and each day staff review the risks and preventative measures inherent in the day’s activities. Because risks are part of any experience in the field, we ask that participants take small risks to develop their confidence and to learn to trust their judgment during designated activities. There is WIFI at the Science & Learning Center and landline phones that are used to call for emergency help. In areas outside of Wi-Fi signal or cell phone coverage, MSHI staff will carry a radio to connect with the U.S. Forest Service Dispatch. We have first aid equipment and supplies available, and our staff carry first aid kits when leading the group in the field.

What are cancellation & other program policies?

Review our cancellation and other program policies on our website at this link HERE.

Do you have a campfire area?

Is there a campfire area? Yes. We have two propane fire pits and provide propane for groups to use. This site is in a designated area permitted by the Forest Service. Propane fire pits and other campfires are NOT permitted at other sites on our facility grounds. Our campfire area is on the same ridge as the Science & Learning Center facility and affords fantastic views of Mount St. Helens.
Are s’mores supplies provided? MSHI provides s’mores sticks but not s’mores supplies to groups unless groups are paying for MSHI to provide food and weather permits outdoor fire pit use.
How far is the fire pit from the building? Our fire pit area is ADA accessible and a short walk (less than 5 minutes) from our building.
Is there seating in the fire pit area? The fire pit area contains 2 picnic tables. We encourage groups to bring their own chairs. We do not provide camp chairs.
Can we move the fire pits? The fire pits are NOT permitted in other areas of the Science & Learning Center campus.
Are wood fires permitted? Wood fires are NOT permitted.

Are camping stoves permitted? Propane stoves are permitted.

What do you do to manage indoor air quality?

Group sleeping areas and restrooms in the Science and Learning Center are equipped with air purifiers that (at their maximum settings) will filter the air every 12.5 minutes. These air purifiers are on wheels and can be easily moved around to meet program needs.

Can I choose to sleep indoors or outdoors?

Groups may choose indoor lodging inside the Science & Learning Center or to sleep outdoors in the Coldwater Campground. The campground is available June - September and is a five-minute walk from the Science & Learning Center. Coldwater campground offers spectacular views of Mount St. Helens, Coldwater Lake, and the Mount Margaret back-country! Groups are responsible for bringing all their own camping supplies.

Coldwater Campground includes:

33 rustic walk-in campsites with tent pads (average size 10’ x 10’ flattened pad area)
2 picnic tables at a central location in the campground
Portable toilets are available at the campground entrance
Access to indoor restrooms in the Science & Learning Center is a 1/4 mile walk away
There is NO running water at the campground. Water jugs for group use may be provided
Parking is ¼ mile from the campground
Camp stoves and other cookware are NOT provided. Propane and white gas stoves are acceptable to use on the campground picnic tables or in the parking lot.
Campfires are NOT permitted. A designated campfire area with 2 propane fire pits is located on the opposite side of the parking lot from the campground for groups to use.

How do you currently share the building with the U.S. Forest Service?

Seasonally May - October the Science and Learning Center is open to the public from 10 AM and 4 PM daily (7 days a week).

The parking lot, facility grounds and indoor atrium of the Science & Learning Center is open to the public as a visitor center, run by the U.S. Forest Service Ranger staff.

The wings of the facility are reserved for the private use of Mount St. Helens Institute programs.

All program participants will continue to have private, secure and safe areas of the building for personal gear and activities.
The dining area, sleeping areas, kitchen and campground remain completely separate from the public and are solely used for our programs.

What access to hiking trails & recreation are available from the Science & Learning Center facility?

View our guide to hiking trails near the Science & Learning Center which include accessibility notes (elevation gain/loss, distance, amenities including restrooms, shade and more), natural history and geology notes and photographs.
From the Science & Learning Center hikers can access Coldwater Lakes Trail via the Elk Bench Trail. This connects to a large network of trails around Coldwater Lake, Coldwater Peak and into the Mount Margaret Backcountry (Note: permits are required for backcountry camping).
Access to popular trail hiking and trail running loops:
- ~ 14 mile loop from the Science & Learning Center around Coldwater Lake
- ~ 14 mile loop from the Science & Learning Center to Coldwater Peak
- ~ 44 mile loop from Johnston Ridge around the Loowit trail and back
- ~ 24 mile loop from Johnston Ridge through the Mount Margaret backcountry

Where else can I take my group ?

In order of closest to I5 highway corridor moving closest to the volcano:

Mount St. Helens Visitors Center at Seaquest State Park - Operated by WA State Parks, free for school groups, contact the state park staff to coordinate .
Weyerhaeuser Forest Learning Center - This is a free private visitors center.

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